1. Download Most Recent Version of Phenex

Phenex was developed by Phenoscape for annotation of evolutionary phenotypes. You can find instructions for downloading and installing Phenex at the Phenex homepage.

2. Access Project Files

Phenoscape project files are XML files (more specifically, they are in NeXML format) created using Phenex and housed in a subversion-controlled data repository. Please read the Instructions for accessing the data repository if you are interested in perusing or adding to them.

You can download publication PDFs and powerpoint posters of the TAO and PATO ontologies by connecting to the Phenoscape file share. Please ask a Phenoscaper for the username and password.

Mac OS X

In finder > Go > Connect to Server

Type in https://webdav.nescent.org/phenoscape-data

Accept security warning about certificate

enter username and password

Windows XP

Go to "My Network Places"

Add a Network Place (pulls up wizard)

Click Next twice

In internet or Network address box, type in https://webdav.nescent.org/phenoscape-data

Accept certificate warning, if given.

Give the share a meaningful name. Default is usually fine.

Finish

4. Use Ontologies to Annotate Characters

The primary activity of a curator is to annotate the free-text characters from systematic studies using ontologies. Instructions for this activity can be found in the Phenoscape Guide to Character Annotation.

5. Update Taxon Lists

Most project files require a taxonomic expert to review the taxonomy used in a publication and update to reflect current taxonomy. Please see instructions for updating taxon lists.

6. Request New Terms for Ontologies

Curation drives ontology development and many new terms and relationships need to be added. For instructions on how to make these changes, please and see the Term Request Instructions.